Persecution in Great Britain

Quoting from the Christian Weekly News and an absolutely astonishing article by Tamara Cohen entitled, “Christian Beliefs DO Lose Out To Gay Rights,” we read, “A Christian couple facing a foster parenting ban because of their view on homosexuality were told by a court yesterday that gay rights ‘should take precedence’ over their religious beliefs.” (Such a ruling and the wording of that ruling is blatantly anti-God, and should send shock waves back to our homes in America.)

“Owen and Eunice Johns heard that their values could conflict with the local authority’s duty to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare’ of those in foster care. The grandparents have already fostered 15 children and were praised by social workers as ‘kind and hospitable people’ who ‘respond sensitively’ to youngsters.”

“Outside court, Mr. and Mrs. Johns, aged 65 and 62, said they were ‘extremely distressed’ and had ‘only wanted to offer a loving home to a child in need.’ They believe homosexuality is ‘against God’s law and morals’ – but said they are not homophobic and would ‘love and accept’ any child.”

“Their case was heard by one of the most senior members of the family court. Lord Justice Mumby, who was sitting alongside Mr. Justice Beeston. It was ruled that there was no discrimination against them as Christians, but that their views on sexual morality may be ‘inimical’ – or ‘harmful‘ – to children. In that situation, they ruled: ‘The equality provisions concerning sexual orientation should take precedence.’”

“The Johnses are considering an appeal, but compaigners fear the ruling will be used as a blueprint for other councils to stop devout Christians from becoming foster parents.”

“CHRISTIANITY IS NOT SIMPLY SAYING ‘WE LOVE YOU.’

CHRISTIANITY IS DEMONSTRATING ‘WE LOVE YOU.’”

BRITISH COURT DISGUISES PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

Call it what the British Court may, it is the court’s out-and-out persecution of Christians in Great Britain for their strongly held spiritual beliefs and moral convictions. The British Courts, like all modern spokesmen and women for Satan, are artists in disguising their anti-Christian mentality with terms that cover over the vile word – persecution. In essence, they call right wrong and wrong right by calling persecution of Christians precedence in their protection of children from those harmful and inimical Christian beliefs.

But Heaven’s Supreme Court will surely one day bring forth its inevitable justice to bear upon earth’s sin-sick courts, as we sense in Isaiah 5:20 and 23,

darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute

“Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights

of those who are in the right.”

Indeed, and I have no doubt, that those same courts and justices would also endorse a wicked homosexual or lesbian farce-couple and sanction them as ideal foster parents. And the British secular and anti-God society hands over another several pounds to these unjust justices and says, “Good work, here’s a bonus.”

In short:

If you will:

OBEYING GOD OR MAN

What faces Christians in these last days of world history as we know it will be heart-breaking as well as severely and painfully conscience-trying! The tests will be gut wrenching if not killing.

What are “Christian Pentecostal” foster parents Owen and Eunice to do? Must they deny their moral convictions to be able to have the child that they want so much to love and nurture in the ways of God? Or must they give up the loved-and-longed-for foster child in order to make their moral stand for God?

Or wouldn’t it be best here to apply the words:

Should they simply say to the powers that be, “We have no strong feelings one way or another about homosexuality.” Then you can have the secret handshake behind closed doors, and everyone can go their way and get what they want. But that is like having a well-developed sense of right and wrong, and yet saying that you have no special inclination in either direction.

 
TERRIBLY HARD CHOICES

We are not simply faced with choices between God and Satan, that is, between the best and the worst. The Johnses had to face giving up the precious for the most Precious. We are not talking here about contrary and totally antithetical options. We are talking about having to sacrifice the dear for the sake of the Dearest. That is enough to tear apart anyone’s heart, but as the Bible says in Matthew 6:21,

That is easier said than done when you have two treasures! There you are in an ocean of emotions and trying to stay above the swells.

We are in the middle of a spiritual and moral hurricane. We are now in the front side of the hurricane, which means the worst is yet to come, for the backside of a hurricane is usually worse than the frontal assault. And in the storm that is trying to sink the ship, the captain will throw overboard last what he treasures the most, even though it weighs the heaviest. And what will that be?  Owen and Eunice made that choice – God’s Word!!!

Satan once said to the Lord in Job 2:4,

 
SILENCE OR SEIZURE

What will it be? When preachers are threatened with the punishment of jail by the courts for preaching against homosexuality, who will they put first, their wives and families or the God of the Word and the Word of God? No longer an unthinkable choice!

In essence:

 There it is, the hard, cold choice:

 
THE CASE OF REV. HOYE

It all hits home with force when we read about Rev. Walter Hoye of Berkley, California, who was ordered to serve 30 days in a county jail by Judge Stuart Hing of the Alameda Supreme Court. Rev. Hoye had been found guilty on January 9, 2009, of unlawfully approaching two persons entering an abortatorium in Oakland. He was ordered by Judge Hing to stay 100 yards away from the abortatorium for three years.

However, Rev. Hoye refused the term of probation and would not agree to the stay-away order. Silence or seizure! Rev. Hoye was taken into custody  from the courtroom. At a hearing on February 19, Judge Hing stated that he had not intended to impose any fine or jail time on Rev. Hoye if he would agree to stay away from the abortion clinic and not offer alternatives to women about to enter the abortion facility. Rev. Hoye refused both the stay-away and the shut-up order, and Judge Hing imposed a 30 day sentence in jail and a $1130.00 fine.

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life stated, “Rev. Hoye has just begun serving a sentence which is blatantly unjust. Rev. Hoye did no violence, but rather attempted to stop violence by his prayer presence at an abortion mill in Oakland.” (“African American Pastor Sent to Jail for Pro-Life Action,” www.catholic.org/politics/story )

It comes down to this:

THE CASE OF AKE GREEN

Ake Green is a Swedish Pentecostal Pastor who was sentenced by a lower court to one month in prison for a sermon in which he condemned homosexuality. He was then acquitted by the Supreme Court in Stockholm. Rev. Green said he was relieved by the verdict in which he was cleared of the ‘crime of agitation against minority groups.’ He said, “I was prepared for the fact that I could be acquitted, but I also could be convicted.”

Gay groups condemned the verdict, saying that it makes a nonsense of the law. Soren Andersson, chairman of the gay rights group RFSL, said, “It is extremely serious when the church is turned into a free zone for agitation. We are now going to face increased religious agitation from extreme right-wing Christian groups that use the church as a forum to spread their message of hatred.”

Rev Green remarked, “We can now feel more free to preach the Word of God, but there will be no more sermons from me about homosexuality. Everyone knows where I stand on that question.” This may be the end of the story, but not the end of the issue. (“Ike Green Cleared Over Gay Sermon,”www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide/country_by_country/sweden/aake )

Rev. Green has now chosen silence over seizure. We all will soon face that same choice! Count on it! The time to be prayed up so that we can stand up is now.

CONCLUSION

 And why is that? Simply because:

We cannot separate Christ from His words or from the Word of God. Jesus says to us in Mark 8:38,

Did you note that Jesus says, “Me and My words?” You see, the Word of God is Christ’s Second-Self. If someone rejects or rebels against a king’s edict or declaration, he rejects and rebels against the King. Owen and Eunice Johns and Rev. Walter Hoye did not shame Christ and His words, but exalted Christ and His words.

“CURSE GOD AND LIVE.”